Cam operated clutch



L. A. WHITE CAM OPERATED CLUTCH July 5, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 26, 1944 F. 2 INVENTOR.

9- Lovp ALV/IV WHITE ATTORNEY L. A. WHITE CAM OPERATED CLUTCH July 5, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 26, 1944 INVENTOR. 1 0X0 ALV/A/ W/fl/TF ATTORNEY Patented July 5, 1949 UNITED STATES ATNT OFFICE 13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to clutches and clutch assemblies, and more particularly to axial type clutches used in bit sharpening machines and the like.

Many clutches which have proved satisfactory for use in other types of machines have proved quite troublesome and undesirable when subjected to the heavy use and relatively difficult operating conditions when utilized in apparatus such as that used for sharpening cutting bits for minin machines, for instance. In such apparatus, the bit sharpening hammers must be actuated within an exceedingly short time after the clutch is engaged, since the bits are heated to a desired temperature and the forging or sharpening operation must begin immediately to achieve an efiicient operation. Also, full load is imposed upon the drive for the machine with the first blow and. should be carried without possibility of slippage until the sharpening is completed. Thus, initial and terminal slippage as well as intermediate slippage should be reduced to a minimum. However, axial type clutches previously in use tend to lose effectiveness upon slight wear of the friction discs, which results in further wear due to increased slippage under pressure, and a resultant lack of achievement of the above desiderata.

AmOng the objects of this invention are to provide a clutch or clutch assembly which effects a relatively quick starting and stopping of the driven machine; to provide a clutch which is positive in engagement and also positive in transmission throughout engagement of the clutch; to provide such a clutch which is easy to control; to provide such a clutch in which the transmission effectiveness is not affected by slight wear of the clutch discs; to provide such a clutch which is readily adjustable for wear or different operating conditions; to provide such a clutch in which worn parts are readily replaced; to provide such a clutch which is ready for instant use; to provide such a clutch which is relatively simple in operation and which requires little attention on the part of the operator.

Other objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the following description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an end elevation of a clutch assembly constructed in accordance with this invention, partially in section taken along line I--l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the clutch assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken along line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

As illustrated in the drawings, a clutch assembly constructed in accordance with this invention is adapted to control the drive between a driving element, such as a pulley l0, and a driven element, such as a clutch cylinder ll. Cylinder II is keyed to a shaft [2 which drives the hammers of a bit sharpening machine, and pulley ll) may be driven directly or indirectly from any suitable source of power, as by V-belts l3 which engage notches in the outer periphery of pulley l8 and a drive pulley l4. Pulley It is keyed to a shaft [5, which may be a line shaft, the shaft of a motor in case of direct drive, the low speed shaft of a gear reduction set, or the like. The drive element or pulley l0 provides, as in Figs. 3 and 4, a friction surface 16 adapted to be engaged by the inner of a pair of friction discs I'!, through which power is transmitted to the driven element or clutch cylinder l I, when pressure is exerted against discs I! to cause sufficient frictional engagement with the surface l5. Pulley I'll, in the construction shown, is adapted to rotate freely on the outboard end of shaft 12, being held thereon by a collar [8, although any other suitable mount for the pulley may be provided.

Essentially, and in accordance with this invention, the axial thrust pushing the friction discs I! tightly against friction surface 16 is provided by a pair of cooperating wedges-a driving wedge 20 and a driven wedge 2 I. As in Fig. 2, these wedges are arcuate in shape, in accordance with the contour of cylinder II, but each is circumferentially liimted, that is, extends over only a portion of the circumference of the outer surface of the cylinder. Driven wedge 2! is attached to the cylinder, as by a bolt 22, and is provided with a plurality of holes 23, through one of which bolt 22 extends, for adjustment of the position of the driven wedge to compensate for wear or for any other purpose. The driving wedge 20 is attached, through a lostmotion connection, to a torque ring 24 which, as in Figs. 3 and 4, encircles a thrust ring 25. Torque ring 24 is angular in cross section, thus providing a depending flange engaging a shoulder 26 formed at the end of cylinder H, through the depending flange of thrust ring 25, the outer surface of the thrust ring 25 being adapted to bear against the inside of a flange 21 of torque ring 24. Flange 21 extends inwardly and friction discs I! are riveted or otherwise secured thereto in any suitable manner. Flange 2'! may be relatively thin, as shown, and provided with a number of slots 28, as in Fig. 4, to separate the flange into sections and thereby accommodate expansion due to heat developed by the friction discs.

So that torque ring 24 may be clamped on thrust ring 25 by a cap screw 30, the torque ring may be provided on one side with a radially extending boss 3|, through which the ring is split. To provide the lost-motion connection between driving wedge 20 and torque ring 24, a lug 32 extends laterally from one-half of boss 3 I, while a pair of ears 33 extend upwardly from wedge 20. Lug 32 and ears 33 are connected by a bolt 34w-hichextends through ears 33 and through a bushing 35;

which in turn is slidable in a hole inl'ug 32 on thein either direction before the wedges are engaged.

or disengaged sufiiciently to cause the friction between disc I! and surface I6 to transmit power, or reduce the friction so that power is no longer transmitted.

Starting and stopping of the driven element or cylinder I I, to start or stop shaft I2 of a machine 36 (indicated by dotted lines in.Fig. 2) is accomplished througha lever 37 of Fig. 1, which is pivoted on a pin 38. The lower end of lever 31 is provided with afoot treadle 39, for movement of the lever from the full to the dotted. position of Fig. 1. When in the full position, the upper end of the lever engages the stop formed by boss 3I, thereby preventing rotation of the torque ring,

driven element, etc. Assuming that the lever has.

just been movedfrom'thefullto the dotted position of Fig. 1, by depression of treadle 39 by the operator, the restriction on rotation of torque ring 24 will be removed and the torque ring will tend. to rotate with the driving element or pulley I0 until the wedges engage, thereby forcing the friction disc more closely. into contact with the friction surface on the driving element. This causes power to be transmitted through the friction surfaces and torque ring 24, through the wedges to the cylinder I I, and thence to shaft. I2. The lost-- motion connectionpermits thetorque ring torotate slightly before full engagementof the wedges so. as to make such engagement tighter.

The friction discs are held in positionfor. in-

stant use by pressure exerted against thrust ring.

25 by plungers 40, which are movable axially in-a pair of holes-4|, drilled from the end of cylinder;

II and slitted along a portion-of their length to' accommodate ears 42 which extend outwardly to engage thrust ring 25,.as in Fig. 4; The plungers are forced axially by compression springs 43- which are disposed in holes. 4|, but which have only sufficient capacity to maintain the thrust and torquerings in position for use, without causing power' to be transmittedthrough the clutch, or to cause difficulty in maintaining the clutch in disengaged position by lever 31-.

The plungers .40 are disposed 180 apart, and-at However, it will bev understood that the position of these plungers 90 from the driven wedge 2 I.

the operator to release treadle 39 (which action.

may be assisted by a suitable spring or. the. like) to cause the'end of the lever to drop. from the.

dotted to the full position of Fig. 1, in which position it will engage the stop formed by boss 30 and prevent further rotation of torque ring 24. When this occurs, the thrust ring and torque ring will rotate slightly with respect to cylinder I I, and the lost-motion connection will permit a slight further rotation of the driving wedge 20, but as inertia carries the driven element and driven wedge 2I slightly further, the wedges will separate and the principal force urging the friction discs against the friction surface will be removed. Therefore, the driving torque will cease to be transmitted and the clutch will be disengaged.

As will be readily apparent from the foregoing description, the clutch assembly constructed in accordance with this invention is ready for instant use, asthe clutch engages practically instantly upon movement of lever 31; and substantially full" power is transmitted within the first few degrees of revolution, since the lostmotion connection between the torque ring 24 and: the driving. wedge 20 permitsthetorque ring to. begin rotating withthe drive elementor pulley I0v andprovide considerable torque to. urge the,

wedges together, thereby insuring an adequate .axial thrust to. force the friction discs. against the friction surfaceIG. Also,.the. clutch assembly,

is relatively easy. to. control, since. all. that is. necessary is a slight movement. ofthelever 31. It will be apparent. that the. clutch. assembly of this inventionisrelatively easy to construct,. since the parts are. relatively simple in shapev and easily producedby casting or simple machine in or drilling. operations.. Furthermore, worn parts are readily. accessiblefor replacementpar ticularly the friction. discs. I1... Also,.adjustment.

of the drivenwedge. to accommodateagreater. or lesser number. of discs or tocompensatefor wear of the discs is readily accomplished. merely. by. removing bolt.22, movingthe wedge. 21L to the.de-- sired position,. and reinserting, and retightening the bolt.

It will be understood,.of 'course, that although. one embodimentv of. the invention. has been: de.--

scribedin detail, othen embodiments and varia@-- rotation or stopthe torque ringwhen the. clutch isto be engagedordisengaged, Furthermore, they drive element. need not be. a. pulley, but may be. merely a disc drivenby a shafttowhich it is attached, or a fly wheel or other. portion= of. driving machinery, Also,.the.drive.element or pulley "may be journaled on a. separate. shaft, and. the:

torque ringmay be. made integraliwith the thrust ring, or the. friction discs. may be. attached. to. a.

flange on the. thrust. ring,. although. it. may be. necessary. in the. latter. case to. key or. bolt. the. torque ringto the: thrust ring.

It willfurther be readily apparentthat-other. changes than those: sugguested may be made without departing from. the spirit and, scope of this invention.

What is claimed. is:.

1. An axial: type clutolt adaptable. for-use with a bit sharpening machine or the. like, comprising a driving element. providing a friction surface; a driven element; a. thrust ring rotatable. with said driven element-but. movable circumferentially with respect thereto; a torque ringen-- circling said. thrust ring and clamped: thereto. said torque ring having a radially extending stop and also. having an inwardly extending flange; fllctlon disc means attached to said torque ring;

flange and adapted to engage said friction surface; a driving wedge adapted to be rotated by said torque ring and attached thereto by a lostmotion connection; a driven wedge attached to said driven element and adapted to engage said driving wedge upon relative circumferential movement of said wedges in the direction of rotation to force said torque ring and friction disc means toward said driving element and thereby produce sufficient frictional engagement between said friction disc means and said friction surface to cause said driven element to rotate with said driving element; a pair of axially movable plungers mounted on said driven element in spaced relation to said driven wedge and adapted to engage said thrust ring; and a spring for each plunger mounted on said driven element for forcing said plungers against said thrust ring.

2. In an axial type clutch for transmitting power from a driving element to a driven element through the engagement of a friction element with a friction surface, the improvement which comprises a torque ring carryin a friction element; a pair of wedges adapted when engaged to force said friction element against said friction surface, said wedges being engageable and disengageable by movement of said torque ring; and means for selectively retarding movement of said torque ring.

3. In an axial type clutch as defined in claim 2, including a lost-motion connection between said torque ring and one of said wedges.

4. In an axial type clutch for transmitting power from a driving element to a driven element through the engagement of a friction element with a friction surface, the combination of a pair of wedges adapted when engaged to force a friction element against a friction surface; a torque ring for carrying said friction element, one of said wedges being movable with said torque ring; means for selectively retarding movement of said torque ring to effect selective engagement and disengagement of said wedges; and resilient means for maintaining said friction element in such a position relative to said surface as to cause relatively quick and positive transmission of power upon engagement of said wedges.

5. In an axial type clutch as defined in claim 4, including a lost-motion connection between said ring and wedge movable therewith.

6. In an axial type clutch as defined in claim 4, in which one wedge is attached to said torque ring by a lost-motion connection and the other wedge is attached to said driven element and adjustable circumferentially thereof.

7. In an axial type clutch for transmitting power from a driving element to a driven element through the engagement of a friction element with a friction surface, the combination of a pair of circumferentially limited wedges adapted when engaged to force a friction element against a friction surface; means rotatable with respect to either said driven element or said driving element for carrying said friction element and adapted to rotate one wedge into and out of engagement with the other wedge; and stop means selectively engageable with said rotatable means to effect engagement and disengagement of said wedge.

8. In an axial type clutch as defined in claim '7, wherein said stop means comprises a pivoted lever one end of which is adapted to engage a stop formed on said rotatable means.

9. An axial type clutch adaptable for use with a bit shaping machine or the like, comprising a driving element providing a friction surface; a driven element including a clutch cylinder; a thrust ring rotatable with respect to said. cylinder but movable circumferentially with respect thereto; a torque rin clamped on said thrust ring and having a radially extending stop and also having a relatively thin inwardly extending flange disposed against said thrust ring; a friction ring attached to said flange and adapted to engage said friction surface; a circumferentially limited driving wedge adapted to be rotated by said thrust ring and attached thereto by a lost-motion connection; a circumferentially limited driven wedge attached to said driven element and adapted to engage said driving wedge upon relative circumferential movement of said wedges in the direction of rotation to force said friction ring toward said driving element and thereby produce sufiicient frictional engagement between said friction ring and said friction surface to cause said wedges and driven element to rotate with said driving element; a pair of axially movable plungers mounted in axial holes in said cylinder in spaced relation to said driven wedge and having ears adapted to engage said thrust ring; a spring for each plunger disposed in said axial holes for forcing said plungers against said torque ring; and a pivoted lever one end of which is adapted to be moved in one direction to engage said radial stop on said torque ring to prevent rotation of said torque ring and disengagement of said wedges, said lever being adapted to be moved in the opposite direction to disengage said stop and permit rotation of said thrust ring to effect engagement of said wedges.

10. In an axial type clutch for transmitting power from a driving element to a driven element through the engagement of a friction element with a friction surface, the combination of a pair of arcuate wedges mounted exteriorly of the clutch and adapted when engaged to force a friction element against a friction surface; a torque ring for carrying said friction element, one of said wedges being movable with said torque ring, means for selectively retarding movement of said torque ring to effect selective engagement and disengagement of said wedges; and resilient means for maintaining said friction element in such a position relative to said surface as to cause relatively quick and positive transmission of power upon engagement of said wedges; one of said wedges bein adapted for adjustment to compensate for wear.

11. In an axial type clutch as defined in claim 10, in which one wedge is accessible upon the exterior of said clutch for replacement without having to remove any other part of said clutch.

12. In an axial type clutch for transmitting power from a driving element having a friction surface to a driven element through the engagement of a friction element with the friction surface, the improvement which comprises a torque ring and a friction element in association therewith; a pair of arcuate wedges adapted when engaged to force said friction element against the friction surface of said driving element, the arcuate wedges being shifted into and out of engagement by movement of the torque ring; and means for selectively retarding movement of said torque rmg.

13. In an axial type clutch for transmitting power from a driving element having a friction surface to a driven element through the engagement of a friction element with the friction surface, the combination of a torque ring provided 7, with a stop boss and'carryingzthefriction. element; a pair of arcuate driving wedges adapted when engaged to force'said' friction: element against said friction surface; means engageable with the stop boss for selectively retarding movement of said torque ring to efiect selective engagement and disengagement of said wedges; and resilient means associated withv the driven element of the clutch for maintaining the friction elementin such a position relative to the friction surface as to cause relatively quick and positive engagement of said driving wedges when said firstnamed means is moved out of engagement with said stop boss.

LOYD ALVIN WHITE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 203,808 Williamson May 14, 1878 260,460 Deschamps July 4, 1882 10 787,072 Brush Apr. 11, 1905 1,974,390 Eason Sept. 18, 1934 2,061,787 Warner Nov. 24, 1936 

